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After taking a young team to the West Virginia Class AA mountaintop, Frankfort opens the 2025 season with the most returning talent.
The Falcons finished 22-9, capturing their first state championship since 1988, and they have four All-Area first-team performers back in the lineup.
Three-time defending area champion Allegany, which went 20-3 and fell in the Class 1A quarterfinals, graduated a strong senior class, including area Player of the Year Bryce Madden, but should contend again for the Western Maryland Athletic Conference crown.
East Hardy (23-7) is primed to return to the Class A state tournament with most of its production back. Likewise, Northern (11-8) and Southern (11-9) return the bulk of their starters.
Here’s what to expect from the area baseball season:
Allegany
Head coach: Jon Irons, 4th season, 56-10
Last year’s record: 20-3
Key losses: P/INF Bryce Madden (1.04 ERA, .437 AVG), INF Caedon Wallace (.409), P Caden Long (2.44 ERA)
Key returners: P/OF Myles Bascelli (0.98 ERA), INF Kohen Madden (.382)
Coach’s quote: “We’ve been very fortunate as a program the past three years to have players who led by example, both in practice and games. They set the standard for intensity, focus and work ethic. That is hard to replace, but we have some guys capable of filling those shoes, and our hope is that leaders will emerge to ensure we build upon the success we’ve seen the last three seasons.”
Calvary
Head coach: Don Swogger, 9th season, 45-78-1 record
Last year’s record: 3-12
Key losses: P/INF Levi Carrington (3.73 ERA, .277 AVG)
Key returners: INF Riley O’Brien (.391 AVG)
Coach’s quote: “With seven players not returning this year, we will have our work cut out for us. We are a very young team with only two seniors, but I love the heart of our boys. With only one experienced pitcher, we are going to be relying on some very young players to step up in a big way. I know our guys are up for the challenge.”
East Hardy
Head coach: Tyler Mongold, 5th season, 52-50 record
Last year’s record: 23-7
Key losses: OF Brandon Jones (.319), P Noah Sager (2.75 ERA)
Key returners: INF Evan Hamilton (.500 AVG), INF Garrett Van Meter (.473 AVG), P Shayne Sisler (2.28 ERA), INF Mason Hamilton (.373 AVG)
Coach’s quote: “My expectation for this year is to get better every single day we step out onto the field and build on our tournament run from last year. Everybody’s goal is to make it to the state tournament, and ours isn’t any different. As long as we are playing our best ball come playoff time, then we’ll be in a better position to achieve our goal.”
Fort Hill
Head coach: Tanner Brode, 2nd season, 9-10 record
Last year’s record: 9-10
Key losses: INF Logan Vanmeter (.393 AVG), P/INF Steven Spencer (2.97 ERA, .358 AVG)
Key returners: P/OF Bobby Brauer (1.49 ERA, .367 AVG), P/INF Carson Bender (2.36 ERA)
Coach’s quote: “I look for us to pick up where we left off with last season’s progress. There is a strong group of returning players who are followed by some new faces that will hopefully fill the gap of last year’s senior group. I like our guys and expect them to be able to compete at a high level this season.”
Frankfort
Head coach: Matt Miller, 13th season, 192-144 record
Last year’s record: 22-9
Key losses: C/P Cam Lynch (3.38 ERA, .433 AVG)
Key returners: P/INF Lanson Orndorf (1.58 ERA, .411 AVG), INF Blake Jacobs (.437), OF Jacob Nething (.402), OF Uriah Cutter (.349), INF Jaxon Hare (.353 AVG)
Coach’s quote: “We are looking forward to this season. We have a lot of returning players from a very successful season, so expectations are high. This group has had success at every level so they know how to win. But we always challenge ourselves with a hard schedule, so we know we have to continue to grind to reach our goals. We move up to AAA this season and know the road to Charleston will be tough, but we are looking forward to that challenge.”
Hampshire
Head coach: Chad VanMeter, 17th season, 188-247 record
Last year’s record: 4-17
Key losses: INF Conner Wolford (.442), INF/OF JJ Charlton
Keyser
Head coach: Scott Rohrbaugh, 17th season, 151-251 record
Last year’s record: 18-5
Key losses: P Evan Jenkins (0.73 ERA), P Patrick Liller (1.34 ERA), C Logan Rotruck (.338 AVG), INF Noah Broadwater (.432 AVG), INF Chase Davis (.372 AVG), DH Josh Shoemaker (.319 AVG), OF Bubba Bean (.309 AVG)
Key returners: INF Hunter Harr (.318 AVG)
Coach’s quote: “We will be young this year. I have a talented group of freshmen coming in this year. One advantage is that they have played together through middle school. Along with the experience of our returning players, we expect to play competitive baseball again this year.”
Moorefield
Head coach: Wade Armentrout, 25th season, 431-240 record
Last year’s record: 9-17
Key losses: P Gabe Weese (1.66 ERA), C Alex Miller (.389 AVG), INF Tyson Arnold (.354 AVG), OF Adam Landes (.345 AVG)
Mountain Ridge
Head coach: Justin Cook, 2nd season, 2-15 record
Last year’s record: 2-15
Key losses: INF Parker Ferraro (.360 AVG), OF Garrett Michaels (.313 AVG)
Key returners: INF John Delaney (.417 AVG)
Coach’s quote: “We are just looking to improve on the 2024 season which only had two returning players. For the 2025 season, we have a lot of senior returning players and that should translate into some good leadership for the team. We have added a few new additions to the team this year. We continue to work hard in practice and hopefully that shows up on the field with a competitive team that will play every game hard ‘til the end.”
Northern
Head coach: Phil Carr, 35th season, 449-186 record
Last year’s record: 11-8
Key losses: INF Kyle Broadwater (.318 AVG)
Key returners: P Robert Deatelhauser (1.19 ERA), OF Luke Ross (.391 AVG), INF Wally Brands (.390 AVG), INF Cole Folk (.321 AVG), C Liam Stewart (.283 AVG)
Coach’s quote: “We have an experienced group with nine seniors. We are returning eight starters to the lineup and our goal is to get back to the region championship again. Our league should be very competitive this year.”
Petersburg
Head coach: Mike Landis, 10th season, 129-108 record
Last year’s record: 10-18
Key losses: None
Key returners: P/C Peyton Tingler (2.84 ERA, .312 AVG), P Clay Arbaugh (3.55 ERA), INF Owen Reel (.341 AVG)
Coach’s quote: “After a season with several injuries, we are healthy with a strong senior group. This will be their fourth year as starters. Peyton Tingler returns and is our top returning pitcher and hitter. ... Payton Metheny, a freshman, will be a strong addition to the team as both an infielder and pitcher.”
Southern
Head coach: Hayden McLaughlin, 2nd season, 11-9 record
Last year’s record: 11-9
Key losses: None
Key returners: P/INF Jared Haskiell (2.17 ERA, .386 AVG), C Reece Tasker (.355 AVG), OF Ben Lohr (.292 AVG)
Coach’s quote: “I am excited to watch this group of kids play together this year. The juniors that have moved up will help fill some gaps we had early in the year. Most of these kids understand the opportunity we had in front of us last year and have taken it upon themselves to put the work in to be ready for when that opportunity presents itself again. We have been preaching buying in and playing for something larger than yourself. I have been very impressed with the first few weeks of practice and the approach we have taken thus far.”
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The Falcons finished 22-9, capturing their first state championship since 1988, and they have four All-Area first-team performers back in the lineup.
Three-time defending area champion Allegany, which went 20-3 and fell in the Class 1A quarterfinals, graduated a strong senior class, including area Player of the Year Bryce Madden, but should contend again for the Western Maryland Athletic Conference crown.
East Hardy (23-7) is primed to return to the Class A state tournament with most of its production back. Likewise, Northern (11-8) and Southern (11-9) return the bulk of their starters.
Here’s what to expect from the area baseball season:
Allegany
Head coach: Jon Irons, 4th season, 56-10
Last year’s record: 20-3
Key losses: P/INF Bryce Madden (1.04 ERA, .437 AVG), INF Caedon Wallace (.409), P Caden Long (2.44 ERA)
Key returners: P/OF Myles Bascelli (0.98 ERA), INF Kohen Madden (.382)
Coach’s quote: “We’ve been very fortunate as a program the past three years to have players who led by example, both in practice and games. They set the standard for intensity, focus and work ethic. That is hard to replace, but we have some guys capable of filling those shoes, and our hope is that leaders will emerge to ensure we build upon the success we’ve seen the last three seasons.”
Calvary
Head coach: Don Swogger, 9th season, 45-78-1 record
Last year’s record: 3-12
Key losses: P/INF Levi Carrington (3.73 ERA, .277 AVG)
Key returners: INF Riley O’Brien (.391 AVG)
Coach’s quote: “With seven players not returning this year, we will have our work cut out for us. We are a very young team with only two seniors, but I love the heart of our boys. With only one experienced pitcher, we are going to be relying on some very young players to step up in a big way. I know our guys are up for the challenge.”
East Hardy
Head coach: Tyler Mongold, 5th season, 52-50 record
Last year’s record: 23-7
Key losses: OF Brandon Jones (.319), P Noah Sager (2.75 ERA)
Key returners: INF Evan Hamilton (.500 AVG), INF Garrett Van Meter (.473 AVG), P Shayne Sisler (2.28 ERA), INF Mason Hamilton (.373 AVG)
Coach’s quote: “My expectation for this year is to get better every single day we step out onto the field and build on our tournament run from last year. Everybody’s goal is to make it to the state tournament, and ours isn’t any different. As long as we are playing our best ball come playoff time, then we’ll be in a better position to achieve our goal.”
Fort Hill
Head coach: Tanner Brode, 2nd season, 9-10 record
Last year’s record: 9-10
Key losses: INF Logan Vanmeter (.393 AVG), P/INF Steven Spencer (2.97 ERA, .358 AVG)
Key returners: P/OF Bobby Brauer (1.49 ERA, .367 AVG), P/INF Carson Bender (2.36 ERA)
Coach’s quote: “I look for us to pick up where we left off with last season’s progress. There is a strong group of returning players who are followed by some new faces that will hopefully fill the gap of last year’s senior group. I like our guys and expect them to be able to compete at a high level this season.”
Frankfort
Head coach: Matt Miller, 13th season, 192-144 record
Last year’s record: 22-9
Key losses: C/P Cam Lynch (3.38 ERA, .433 AVG)
Key returners: P/INF Lanson Orndorf (1.58 ERA, .411 AVG), INF Blake Jacobs (.437), OF Jacob Nething (.402), OF Uriah Cutter (.349), INF Jaxon Hare (.353 AVG)
Coach’s quote: “We are looking forward to this season. We have a lot of returning players from a very successful season, so expectations are high. This group has had success at every level so they know how to win. But we always challenge ourselves with a hard schedule, so we know we have to continue to grind to reach our goals. We move up to AAA this season and know the road to Charleston will be tough, but we are looking forward to that challenge.”
Hampshire
Head coach: Chad VanMeter, 17th season, 188-247 record
Last year’s record: 4-17
Key losses: INF Conner Wolford (.442), INF/OF JJ Charlton
Keyser
Head coach: Scott Rohrbaugh, 17th season, 151-251 record
Last year’s record: 18-5
Key losses: P Evan Jenkins (0.73 ERA), P Patrick Liller (1.34 ERA), C Logan Rotruck (.338 AVG), INF Noah Broadwater (.432 AVG), INF Chase Davis (.372 AVG), DH Josh Shoemaker (.319 AVG), OF Bubba Bean (.309 AVG)
Key returners: INF Hunter Harr (.318 AVG)
Coach’s quote: “We will be young this year. I have a talented group of freshmen coming in this year. One advantage is that they have played together through middle school. Along with the experience of our returning players, we expect to play competitive baseball again this year.”
Moorefield
Head coach: Wade Armentrout, 25th season, 431-240 record
Last year’s record: 9-17
Key losses: P Gabe Weese (1.66 ERA), C Alex Miller (.389 AVG), INF Tyson Arnold (.354 AVG), OF Adam Landes (.345 AVG)
Mountain Ridge
Head coach: Justin Cook, 2nd season, 2-15 record
Last year’s record: 2-15
Key losses: INF Parker Ferraro (.360 AVG), OF Garrett Michaels (.313 AVG)
Key returners: INF John Delaney (.417 AVG)
Coach’s quote: “We are just looking to improve on the 2024 season which only had two returning players. For the 2025 season, we have a lot of senior returning players and that should translate into some good leadership for the team. We have added a few new additions to the team this year. We continue to work hard in practice and hopefully that shows up on the field with a competitive team that will play every game hard ‘til the end.”
Northern
Head coach: Phil Carr, 35th season, 449-186 record
Last year’s record: 11-8
Key losses: INF Kyle Broadwater (.318 AVG)
Key returners: P Robert Deatelhauser (1.19 ERA), OF Luke Ross (.391 AVG), INF Wally Brands (.390 AVG), INF Cole Folk (.321 AVG), C Liam Stewart (.283 AVG)
Coach’s quote: “We have an experienced group with nine seniors. We are returning eight starters to the lineup and our goal is to get back to the region championship again. Our league should be very competitive this year.”
Petersburg
Head coach: Mike Landis, 10th season, 129-108 record
Last year’s record: 10-18
Key losses: None
Key returners: P/C Peyton Tingler (2.84 ERA, .312 AVG), P Clay Arbaugh (3.55 ERA), INF Owen Reel (.341 AVG)
Coach’s quote: “After a season with several injuries, we are healthy with a strong senior group. This will be their fourth year as starters. Peyton Tingler returns and is our top returning pitcher and hitter. ... Payton Metheny, a freshman, will be a strong addition to the team as both an infielder and pitcher.”
Southern
Head coach: Hayden McLaughlin, 2nd season, 11-9 record
Last year’s record: 11-9
Key losses: None
Key returners: P/INF Jared Haskiell (2.17 ERA, .386 AVG), C Reece Tasker (.355 AVG), OF Ben Lohr (.292 AVG)
Coach’s quote: “I am excited to watch this group of kids play together this year. The juniors that have moved up will help fill some gaps we had early in the year. Most of these kids understand the opportunity we had in front of us last year and have taken it upon themselves to put the work in to be ready for when that opportunity presents itself again. We have been preaching buying in and playing for something larger than yourself. I have been very impressed with the first few weeks of practice and the approach we have taken thus far.”
Continue reading...
